14 Famous Couples Who Took Years Before Finally Tying the Knot

14 Famous Couples Who Took Years Before Finally Tying the Knot

Some love stories don’t rush to the altar, and that’s perfectly okay. Many famous couples have proven that taking your time before marriage can lead to lasting happiness. From Hollywood actors to music legends, these celebrities dated for years—sometimes even decades—before saying “I do.” Their patience and commitment show that true love is worth the wait.

1. Tim Daly and Téa Leoni

Tim Daly and Téa Leoni first crossed paths when they were just teenagers at summer camp. Years later, they reconnected as adults and began dating in 2014 after both had been through previous marriages.

The couple kept their relationship relatively private while co-starring on the TV show “Madam Secretary.” They enjoyed spending time together without the pressure of wedding plans. Their chemistry was undeniable both on and off screen.

After dating for six years, they finally got married in 2020. The intimate ceremony reflected their low-key approach to love. Their journey proves that sometimes childhood connections can blossom into something beautiful much later in life.

2. Michelle Yeoh and Jean Todt

Michelle Yeoh, the Oscar-winning actress, met Jean Todt, former Ferrari racing director, back in 2004. Their connection was instant, bridging the worlds of Hollywood glamour and Formula One racing.

For nearly two decades, they maintained a committed relationship without feeling rushed to marry. Todt proposed in 2005, but they remained engaged for an incredibly long time. Both had demanding careers that took them around the globe constantly.

The couple finally exchanged vows in July 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. Their 19-year engagement became one of the longest in celebrity history. Their patience demonstrates that marriage timing should fit the couple’s unique circumstances and readiness.

3. Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart

Harrison Ford met Calista Flockhart at the 2002 Golden Globe Awards when he accidentally spilled wine on her. This clumsy introduction sparked a romance that would span decades. The age difference of 22 years never seemed to matter to them.

Ford proposed on Valentine’s Day weekend in 2009 while they vacationed together. However, they didn’t rush down the aisle immediately. Both wanted to ensure the timing felt absolutely right for their blended family.

They married in June 2010 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after eight years together. Their relationship shows that starting a romance later in life can be incredibly fulfilling and meaningful.

4. JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers

Reality TV brought JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers together on “The Bachelorette” in 2016. Jordan won JoJo’s heart and proposed during the show’s finale. Fans expected a quick wedding, but the couple had different plans.

They spent five years building their relationship away from cameras and managing busy careers in real estate and sports commentary. Planning a wedding while constantly in the public eye presented unique challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic also delayed their original wedding date.

In May 2022, they finally celebrated their dream wedding surrounded by friends and family. Their extended engagement allowed them to truly know each other beyond reality television.

5. Tina Turner and Erwin Bach

Music legend Tina Turner met German music executive Erwin Bach in 1985 at a record label party in London. Despite their 16-year age difference, they formed an immediate connection. Bach supported Turner through her retirement from performing and various health challenges.

The couple dated for an astonishing 27 years before deciding to marry. They lived together happily in Switzerland, enjoying a peaceful life away from the spotlight. Marriage simply wasn’t a priority for them initially.

In 2013, they finally tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on the banks of Lake Zurich. Bach even donated a kidney to Turner in 2017, proving his devotion went beyond wedding vows.

6. Josh Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton

Josh Hartnett and British actress Tamsin Egerton met while filming the thriller “The Lovers” in 2011. Their on-screen chemistry translated into real-life romance. The couple preferred keeping their relationship extremely private from the beginning.

They welcomed four children together over the years while remaining unmarried. Hartnett had previously expressed reservations about marriage in interviews. However, his feelings evolved as their family grew stronger.

After more than a decade together, they secretly married in November 2021. The intimate ceremony took place with only close family present. Their story reminds us that building a family doesn’t always require a marriage certificate first, though it can come when the moment feels perfect.

7. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard

Actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard met through Maggie’s brother Jake Gyllenhaal in 2002. Their relationship blossomed quickly within Hollywood’s close-knit acting community. They became one of the industry’s most respected couples.

Sarsgaard proposed in 2006, and they welcomed their first daughter shortly after. Despite being engaged and starting a family, they waited three more years before marrying. Both actors had demanding film schedules that made wedding planning challenging.

They finally exchanged vows in May 2009 in a small chapel in Italy. Their daughter served as a flower girl at the ceremony. The couple now has two daughters and continues working on critically acclaimed projects together.

8. Don Cheadle and Bridgid Coulter

Don Cheadle and actress Bridgid Coulter began dating in 1992, building one of Hollywood’s most enduring partnerships. They raised two daughters together and supported each other’s careers for decades. Marriage simply wasn’t something they felt they needed.

The couple remained unmarried for 28 years, often referring to each other as partners. Cheadle explained in interviews that their relationship didn’t require legal documentation to be meaningful. However, their perspective eventually shifted.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, they quietly got married. Cheadle revealed the news casually during a talk show appearance in 2021. Their nearly three-decade wait shows that couples can define commitment on their own terms and timeline.

9. Joy Behar and Steve Janowitz

Comedian Joy Behar met Steve Janowitz, a retired schoolteacher, way back in 1982. Their relationship developed slowly and steadily over the years. Behar had been previously married and wasn’t eager to rush into another wedding.

The couple dated for 29 years before finally deciding to make it official. Janowitz patiently waited while Behar focused on building her comedy career and television presence. She often joked about their unmarried status on “The View.”

In 2011, they had a small wedding ceremony in New York City. Behar was 69 years old at the time. Their extraordinarily long courtship proves that some relationships don’t need a marriage license to be committed and loving.

10. Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet

Jason Momoa first saw Lisa Bonet on television as a child and instantly developed a crush. When they finally met in 2005 at a jazz club, he was completely starstruck. Their connection was immediate and powerful despite their 12-year age difference.

They began living together and had two children while remaining unmarried for over a decade. Momoa frequently expressed his love for Bonet in interviews and on social media. Marriage wasn’t initially important to either of them.

In October 2017, they secretly married after 12 years together. The private ceremony took place at their home. Unfortunately, they announced their separation in 2022, but their long journey together still inspired many fans worldwide.

11. Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner

Comedy legend Lily Tomlin met writer Jane Wagner in 1971 when Wagner was working on a television special. Their creative collaboration quickly turned romantic. However, they kept their relationship private for many years due to societal attitudes toward same-sex couples.

The couple stayed together through decades of changing social landscapes. They worked on numerous projects together, including Tomlin’s famous one-woman shows. Marriage wasn’t legally possible for them in most places for the majority of their relationship.

After 42 years together, they married on New Year’s Eve 2013 in a private ceremony. Same-sex marriage had recently become legal in California. Their incredible journey represents both personal devotion and broader social progress.

12. Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo

Amy Adams met artist Darren Le Gallo in 2001 at an acting class before she became a major Hollywood star. Their romance grew as Adams’ career skyrocketed with films like “Enchanted” and “American Hustle.” Le Gallo proposed in 2008, and everyone expected a quick wedding.

Instead, they remained engaged for seven years while welcoming a daughter in 2010. Adams often joked about their long engagement in interviews. Both wanted the wedding to happen at the right moment without pressure.

They finally married in May 2015 in a small ceremony near Santa Barbara, California. The intimate gathering reflected their preference for privacy. Their 14-year courtship before marriage demonstrates true patience and partnership.

13. John Corbett and Bo Derek

Actor John Corbett met iconic actress Bo Derek at a party in 2002. Despite their Hollywood status, they chose to live quietly away from Los Angeles. Their relationship thrived without the constant media attention that many celebrity couples face.

For nearly two decades, they were perfectly happy as an unmarried couple. Corbett had never been married before, and Derek had been previously widowed. Neither felt pressure to formalize their commitment legally.

In 2020, they surprised everyone by revealing they had secretly married around Christmas. Corbett casually mentioned it during a talk show appearance. After 18 years together, they decided marriage felt right, proving that love doesn’t follow anyone else’s schedule.

14. India Hicks and David Flint Wood

British designer India Hicks, goddaughter of Prince Charles, met advertising executive David Flint Wood in 1996. They fell in love and eventually moved to the Bahamas together. Their unconventional lifestyle matched their unconventional approach to marriage.

The couple raised five children together over 25 years without getting married. Hicks often spoke about not feeling the need for a wedding certificate. However, their feelings evolved as they grew older together.

In 2021, they finally married in a small ceremony at their home in Oxfordshire, England. The intimate gathering included their adult children and close friends. Their quarter-century wait demonstrates that family bonds can be incredibly strong regardless of marital status.